U.S. containerized volume slowed in the second quarter after a strong first quarter increase of 8.9 percent year-over-year. Combined import and export volume in June slid 7 percent from May, reported The Journal of Commerce. Mediterranean Shipping Co. held at No. 1, exports, and No. 2, imports, on the JOC'sTop 40 Import and Export Carrierranking, with growth outpacing the other major carriers, at 27 percent and 20 percent, respectively.

Year-over-year overall volume increases -- imports up 6.2 percent, exports, 8.3 percent, and total trade, 7.1 percent -- mask the deceleration, which kept U.S. containerized trade marginally below the pre-recession 2008 levels.

Based on data provided by PIERS, a sister company to the JOC, the Top 40 listings reflect approximately 98 percent of all trade by volume entering and exitingthe United States. In exports, MSC, Maersk Line, Hapag-Lloyd, APL and Evergreen commanded 41.3 percent of the market, with combined volume surging 10 percent to 2.6 million TEUs. Top 5 importers Maersk, MSC, APL, Evergreen and Hanjin Shipping posted a more moderate 2.3 percent growth to 3.3 million TEUs, at 39.5 percent market share.

The JOC Container Shipping Quarterly Special Report examines the strategies top carriers are employing to manage their market during peak shipping season and beyond, highlighting the changes in charter rates and practices and efforts to maximize per-container profitability.